To be a successful transcriber you don't need to be the best transcriber. What you need to be is, the best-selling transcriber!
Selling is the only skill you need to become a successful freelance transcriber. This is also true for transcribers working for a company.
If you have the skills of negotiation, salesmanship and marketing, you will get better benefits, faster pay raises, better positions.
Successful freelance transcribers know this. They know where to get free publicity. They know where to advertise and how. They know how to communicate effectively with others; especially with their prospects and speak their language.
I'm sometimes amazed at how very skilled transcribers are only moderately successful or happy in their jobs. Some transcribers don't mind giving a 3-hour overtime every week in office; but spending 1-hour a week on their own business is unthinkable to the same transcribers. That is unthinkable to me.
So start selling.
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I have to disagree with you I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteHaving worked for a number of transcription agencies in the past and seen some of the quite frankly awful work that's come from people who claim to be transcribers - if you're no good, you don't get the work, pure and simple. No-one is going to send you work if it they then have to spend their time correcting it all.
I do agree that you need to learn sales and marketing skills and this can be a steep learning curve.
Hi Bridie!
ReplyDeleteWell, I understand where you're coming from with that.
I guess I'll have to explain where I'm coming from here.
So here goes: You can be the best transcriber ever but without selling and promotion you're not recognized as such and will not get work. Say, you simply do not promote your services as a freelancer, you do not get to work as a freelancer.
Being good and able to meet a certain quality is a given here.
What's the difference between a best-selling writer and a good writer?
The best-selling writer sells the most copies, though he may not be the best writer.
See? That's the premise I was talking about.
I think we agree sales and marketing skills are vital to success...in any industry.